J-Life 2009 Highlights: Part 3

Real Men Retreat

In late January all the men left the farm for the Vaal Dam, where we had what we called the "Real Men Retreat." Besides enjoying a testosterone-filled weekend full of braais (barbecues), canoeing, and paintballing, we also dug deep into some real heart issues that us men face. We discussed how Satan desires to do three things to men:

1) Tell us who we are

2) Keep us out of the battle

3) Steal our destinies

It was a powerful weekend for the whole group of guys, including myself, as we dealt with issues from our pasts. So many of these guys came from homes where their fathers either abused them or were entirely absent from their lives. The anger and hurt from such wounds went deep, but it was great to walk along with some of these guys as they began the process of healing from those wounds. I will remember that weekend for many years to come.

We left as boys, but we came back as men!

That retreat was also the location of some sweet Lion-King-esque sunsets!

Justin and me out by the Vaal Dam.